Simon Cowell has met with all the remaining X Factor acts and assured them that whoever wins will receive his full backing. However he warned them that this is crunch time and asked them to ‘up their game’ if they want to stand a chance of winning.

Simon told The Daily Star: “No-one who could have won has gone so I think the public have got it right so far.

“But I had a conversation with all the contestants to say whoever wins I will give them my full support.

“And I am asking everyone to up their game.”

Many people have threatened to boycott the show after Lucie Jones’ departure last week, others have vowed to vote for Jedward in their thousands.

One source told the newspaper: “Will people get their own back against Simon by voting for the twins so that his acts are in the sing off?

“Or will John and Edward feel the backlash as people refuse to vote for them?

“Who goes this weekend is anyone’s guess.”